Sturgeon announces plans for Scottish Government

Nicola Sturgeon outlined the plans at Holyrood. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

National, standardised tests, will be introduced to Scottish primary schools, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister detailed the plan in Holyrood today (1 September) as part of her programme for government.

The assessments would be brought in for pupils in primaries one, four and seven, as well as for youngsters in the third year of secondary school.

The new tests will be piloted next year and introduced in 2017.

But Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, says the plans will put children under pressure:

The legislative part of the First Minister's programme for government details eight new bills, to be introduced over the coming year:

  • Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill

  • Bankruptcy Consolidation Bill

  • Budget Bill

  • Burial and Cremation Bill

  • Lobbying Bill

  • Private Tenancies Bill

  • Scottish Elections (dates) Bill

  • Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill

Nicola Sturgeon has also set out plans to use new tax and welfare powers, given to Scotland in the wake of the independence referendum.

Air Passenger Duty will be cut by 50% at the end of next Parliament, if the SNP remains in power, and changes will be made to make Police Scotland more accountable.

Over the next three years, an extra £195m will be added to the Help to Buy scheme.

A Private Tenancies Bill will include provisions for rent controls, and new systems of GP care will be trialled.

Ms Sturgeon has also pledged £100m to boost mental health services, and the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill is aimed at toughening up the law on domestic abuse.

If the SNP are still in power after next May's Holyrood elections, Ms Sturgeon said a Social Security Bill would be introduced in the first year of the new parliament to pave the way for a new Scottish social security system.

She said this will allow the "earliest possible abolition of the bedroom tax".

This year, the Scottish Government will invest £100m in a bidto lessen the impact of the UK Government's welfare reforms.